Sciatica is best characterized as the common symptoms of pain and discomfort in the backs of the legs. This painful condition generally develops due to complications affecting the region of the lumbar spine, or lower back, affecting these areas of the body as well as an individual’s legs and feet. The pain which travels down the person’s legs through the sciatic nerves which are the nerves found surrounding the lumbar spine, characteristic of sciatica.
The lumbar region of the spine is made up of five vertebrae which are labeled from top to bottom, L1 to L5, between the ribcage and the pelvis. Below these is the sacrum, which is labeled as S1. A spinal nerve can be found above each of these vertebra with its root in the spinal cord. These nerves form the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerves, found in each leg, are the longest and broadest nerves found in the human body. When the root of one of the sciatic nerves becomes irritated or inflamed, leading to the compression of the nerve, it can cause the common symptoms of pain and numbness in the buttocks, legs, and/or feet.
Sciatica is medically defined as a collection of symptoms rather than a single disorder. Commonly identified by pain and numbness which travels down the lower back, buttocks and legs, sciatic nerve pain can cause discomfort if left untreated. Chiropractic care focuses on restoring the function of the spine, relieving the symptoms of sciatica by targeting them at the source. For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at (915) 850-0900.